I've been thinking about this for a while; most predictions seem to be the old NCAA Football on no-injury mode. This team is not deep. You want details? I'll give you details:
BCU - W
Synopsis: The usual present day 'Cane struggles against a motivated FCS team. Stands at 21-10 Miami after halftime, 28-10 at the end of the third quarter. Late surge with Kaaya getting more reps than expected and BCC miscues lead to more Miami points. Final Score: 45-13 Miami. Postgame, Golden blames "first game jitters" for a slow start.
FAU - W
Synopsis: The cracks already start to show in the Schnelly Bowl. FAU, unaccustomed to playing in front of a packed stadium, plays out of their minds and the heretofore tepid support from their fan turns into a wave of noise, further feeding their strong play. Miami is shocked by the home field advantage and at one point in the third quarter is losing by 3, earning an "Upset Alert" on the ESPN crawl. Coley is forced to go deeper in the playbook and start using schemes intended for better opponents. Even some Rosier wildcat is used. Some strong running by Gus Edwards gives Miami the lead, but D'Onofrio's confused "Which gap defense do we play now again" defensive play calling leads to an easy FAU score. Kaaya is forced to make desperate throws and the OL shows how green they are, with him running for his life on some plays. A late TD pass to Coley gets the win, but the team is shaken. Final Score: 35 - 32 Miami. Postgame, Al repeatedly talks about this being "FAU's biggest game in program history" and how that made it closer than anyone expected. He also states "We have to go back down the road and fix what was wrong with our play here tonight and that's on me."
Nebraska - L
Synopsis: Early in the second quarter, with Miami and Nebraska tied 7-7, Kaaya is on a designed roll-out that the Nebraska's Blackshirts saw on film from the FAU game. The designated QB spy, missed by an O-line man, hits Kaaya hard early in the play and he lands on his throwing shoulder forcing him to leave the game. Later, it is learned he has a dislocated shoulder and a broken clavicle. The unexpected player loss stuns the 'Canes and Golden looks lost on the sideline. Rosier and a trio of backs are only able to generate 10 more points and Nebraska's offense continues to stay two steps ahead of the D playcalling. Nebraska rolls 42-17. Postgame, Al is mute: "Yeah, losing Brad is uh, oh jeez, yeah, uh, he may be out for the season (clears throat) yeah, tough loss, but we lost our leader, so it kinda went that way"
Cincinnati-L
Synopsis: Now in full panic mode, Golden promotes Evan Shirreffs, burning his shirt in a similar way Shannon burned Morris' shirt. Looking for a big win to christen their renovated stadium in front of a national audience, the Bearcats are relentless and easily confuse the new Miami QB, leading to three early interceptions and two Cincy defensive scores. Dorito continues his unique knack of helping opposing QBs Heisman campaigns and goes back to having lineman drop into coverage. Avoidng Miami's DBs and feasting on underneath routes with little pressure, Kiel throws for three scores and 355 yards. Cincy wins easily, 35-14. Postgame, Golden defends his use of Shirreffs, saying "at this time" Shirreffs "gives us the best chance to win." Blake gives his first vote on confidence to Golden on the following Saturday.
FSU - L
Synopsis: Shirreffs starts again and now understands a word he had never heard before: Steamroller. Doak starts emptying in the third quarter and a fight breaks out on the Miami sideline in the 4th. FSU in a blowout, 49 to 14. Postgame, Al comments on FSU not being very far removed from being a "National Champ team." incredulously, Golden states his team "is getting better"
Virginia Tech - L
Synopsis: After beating O$U again, VT is on a roll and does not want to repeat their late season swoon. Earlier in the week, Bud Foster has a bottle of Jack and punches out the bartender for not giving him more (Blacksburg Police never receive a call) and has his defense humming, torturing Miami's OL. No running game means no offense and Miami falls to VT 24-10. Postgame, Al laments "that injuries are killing us."
Clemson - L
Rosier starts and Miami takes a suprising one touchdown lead early. Reality does set in and a lackluster crowd does not help. Clemson scores two late and wins 28 to 21. Golden is high on his defense's improved play and says "we are turning the corner." Kaaya, not suprisingly, is still out. Blake James gives his second vote of confidence to Golden.
Duke - L
The QB whisperer, Cutcliffe, has Dorito's number and and the corner Golden turned was a blind curve leading to an oncoming train. Duke wins at home, 28-17 with Shirreffs and Rosier sharing QB duties. Postgame, Golden cites a locker room meeting for an abbreviated press conference, and mentions "unity is a challenge."
Virginia - W
Synopsis: Mike London finally paysGolden back with a job saving (for the moment) win. Rosier plays the whole game, runs for two scores and passes for two more. Final score, Miami 31, Virginia 17. Postgame, Al plays up the performance, calling it "a Big Win against a talented team with 5 star recruits"
UNC - L
Synopsis: Dorito latest assist goes to Marquise Williams, who coming back after a being injured the previous two weeks, looks like a NY invitee with a dominating performance. Even the move of Dallas Crawford to RB in a return to UNC does not help a now moribund running attack and Miami falls 35-17. Postgame, Al Golden is not available afterwards due to some "consultations."
GTech - L
Synopsis: Paul Johnson, Mr. High School and Service Academy Offense, putts the final nail in Al Golden's coffin. A 52-10 thrashing in front of maybe 9,000 fans and a sea of aqua is more than even Frenck can handle as he remarks to a media member, "Yes, change can be a positive."
Pitt - W
Synopsis: Interim Coach Coley, in an audition game, throws everything but the kitchen sink at Paul Chryst and the Panthers, including a suited up Kaaya on the sideline (though he doesn't play). The defense, in a simplified scheme, proves that without Dorito's bumbling (James, in letting go Golden, also fires Dorito, less the pitchfork mob decends on his office) they can play dominating defense, Even a late warm spell in Pittsburgh is along for the ride, warming the 10 'Cane fans who show up. Miam Wins 35-14.
4-8...Is that detailed enough for you?
